Gujarat saunf adulteration: 3,500 kg of fennel seeds dyed with unsafe chemicals seized in major raid

In yet another worrying case of food adulteration in India, officials from the Gujarat Food Safety Department seized more than 3,500 kilograms of contaminated fennel seeds, commonly known as saunf, during a raid in Unjha.

The action took place at Ganapati Cleaning Factory, where authorities allegedly found fennel seeds being mixed with a non-edible green chemical dye to make the product look fresher and more appealing before being sold in the market.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) shared details of the operation in a post on Instagram on Friday, May 22.

Factory Was Allegedly Operating Without FSSAI Licence

According to officials, the factory was running without a valid FSSAI licence, which is compulsory for all food businesses in the country.

In its statement, FSSAI said, “The Gujarat Food Safety Department conducted a targeted enforcement raid at Ganapati Cleaning Factory in Unjha, uncovering severe violations of public health standards. The Food Business Operator was found operating entirely without an FSSAI license and allegedly blending a non-edible green chemical dye into food products.”

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A post shared by FSSAI (@fssai_safefood)

Officials reportedly recovered nearly 140 kilograms of the green colouring agent during the raid.

Video Shows Green Colour Rubbing Off Fennel Seeds

A video shared by the food regulator alongside the post has also grabbed attention online. In the clip, an official can be seen rubbing a handful of fennel seeds in his palm, leaving behind visible green stains on his hand.

The footage further showed workers allegedly mixing the green chemical colour into large batches of saunf inside the factory premises.

FSSAI confirmed that samples collected during the raid have been sent for laboratory testing.

“Samples have been sent for immediate laboratory testing,” the authority added in its statement.

Authorities Warn Of Strict Legal Action

The food regulator stressed that strict action would continue against businesses found compromising consumer safety.

“Stringent measures and legal actions will continue against any operators compromising consumer safety and violating the Food Safety and Standards Act,” FSSAI stated.

The incident has once again raised concerns over the growing number of adulterated food products being sold across different parts of the country.

Crackdown Comes Days After Vrindavan Sweet Shop Raids

The Gujarat operation comes shortly after FSSAI carried out inspections near the famous Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan during the ongoing Purushottam Mas celebrations.

During those checks, officials reportedly found several sweet shops storing and selling sweets in unhygienic conditions. Around 200 kilograms of pedas were allegedly kept in contaminated plastic bags in unsanitary surroundings.

Following the inspection, shopkeepers were instructed to destroy adulterated sweets on the spot in the presence of food safety officials.